JP5063483B2 - Bookbinding system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bookbinding system that is connected to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer, and that automatically performs a bookbinding process for binding with staples, rings, tapes, and the like.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a bookbinding apparatus, a finisher apparatus that binds and staples a plurality of sheets discharged from a connected copier every predetermined number of sheets has a plurality of types of staples, and selects a staple according to the paper thickness. This is described in Patent Document 1. Further, Patent Documents 2 and 3 describe post-processing machines in which a staple cartridge is detachable and uses a staple needle properly.

  Patent Document 4 describes a ring used for a binder that is bundled every predetermined number. Patent Document 5 discloses a paper transport unit that transports paper to a predetermined position in order to bind paper using the ring. A punch processing unit that punches a binding hole at one end of the paper, a binder paper alignment unit that aligns a plurality of perforated sheets, and a bind processing unit that binds a plurality of aligned sheets to create a booklet A paper processing apparatus is described.

Patent Document 6 describes a binder cartridge that is used in a binding processing apparatus and has improved smoothness of movement of the binder and ease of mounting.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 63-231988 JP 2003-054154 A JP 2006-151592 A JP 2007-030319 A JP 2007-031068 A JP 2007-055179 A

  As described above, in the post-processing machine that processes the printed paper connected to the image forming apparatus, the post-processing machine has a function of performing a binding process at the edge or center of the paper, and adding a paste. The bookbinding process is performed by pressing the edge of the paper against the tape, and as a bookbinding function, after punching a number of holes around the binding side of the paper bundle, binding is performed using a metal coil or plastic ring. The function of going and finishing as a ring-bound product is generally known.

  In the bookbinding system, which is an apparatus having the above-described functions, the present invention can easily select or select a consumable item to be used from a plurality of types of consumable items when performing a bookbinding instruction. An object of the present invention is to provide a bookbinding system with improved operability.

In order to achieve the above object, a bookbinding system according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a bookbinding apparatus that performs a binding process using staples, rings, or tapes on a plurality of sheets on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus. In a bookbinding system connected to an image forming apparatus, it is possible to select information on the paper fed from the image forming apparatus and information on consumables used for the binding process and information on consumables to be used. Operating means for displaying and inputting, enabling selection of consumables according to the paper to be bound by input from the operating means, and information on the paper used for selection in the operating means It is one or more of the size or the number of sheets to be performed, and information relating to the consumable sheet selected by the operation means and the image forming apparatus If the information on the supplied paper is different, processing of the supplied paper is stopped, a warning is issued, and information on the consumables attached to the bookbinding apparatus is selected as information on the consumables selected by the operation means. In the display of consumables in the operation means, a part that can be selected from all the consumables is displayed, and the remaining part is sequentially displayed by replacing the part that is being displayed. And

Also, the bookbinding system according to claim 2, in bookbinding system of claim 1, information of consumables used in the selection in the operation means, characterized in that it is a color of consumables to correspond to each type .

Also, the bookbinding system according to claim 3, in bookbinding system according to claim 1 or 2, as the information of consumables selected by operation means, that you display all wearable consumables bookbinding device Features.

Further, in the bookbinding system according to claim 4 , in the bookbinding system according to claims 1 to 3, when the information on the consumables selected by the operating means is different from the information on the consumables attached to the bookbinding apparatus, Warning notification is performed.

Further, the bookbinding system according to claim 5 is the bookbinding system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the warning notification in the operation means is notification by lighting or blinking by the light emitting unit, notification by displaying a warning text by the display unit, or alarm, The notification is performed by any one or more of voice notifications.

A bookbinding system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the bookbinding system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the information displayed on the operation unit is operated on an external apparatus that transmits data for the bind process, and the process related to the image forming apparatus. It is also characterized in that it is displayed on the screen of a control program for setting.

  According to the above configuration, the consumable information stored in the bookbinding apparatus is displayed on the operation panel so that the user can select the consumables desired by the user, or the operability when selecting is improved. Can be made.

  According to the present invention, in a bookbinding process, when a bookbinding instruction is given, consumable information held by the device is displayed on the operation panel in a selectable manner, and a user can select from a plurality of consumable types. There is an effect that it is possible to easily select a desired consumable or to improve operability when selecting.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a bookbinding system in which a post-processing machine is connected to an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the bookbinding system will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 shows a multifunction printer (MFP) as an example. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an ADF 2a and an operation panel 2b with a display device.

  A binder 3 (ring or tape binding device) is connected downstream thereof. A plurality of sheets to be bound as a booklet are aligned by the binder 3, and are bound to a ring or tape, and are discharged as a booklet to a dedicated discharge tray 4. Further, the post-processing machine 5 is connected to the most downstream side. Although a detailed description of the functions of the post-processing device 5 is omitted, it is possible to incorporate various types of staple binding, paper alignment, and the like by incorporating a punching device, a stapling device, etc. having about 1 to 4 holes.

  FIG. 2 is a structural diagram showing the mechanism of the binder for ring binding in this embodiment. In addition, the binder 3 shown in FIG. 2 can basically be bound by the same processing route for the binder to be bound by tape.

  The mechanism, operation, and function of the binder 3 will be described in order with reference to FIG. The sheet fed from the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 is transported through the horizontal transport path 10 of the binder 3. When the sheet is not ring-bound, it is transported horizontally as it is and then transported to the downstream post-processing device 5.

  When the paper is ring-bound, the paper is switched back by the reversing roller 11 downstream of the horizontal conveyance path 10. At that time, the switching claw 12 is switched and carried to the punch unit 16 obliquely below. In the punch unit 16, the lateral direction of the paper is aligned by the jogger 14 for lateral alignment on the alignment tray 13, the paper is further abutted against the leading edge abutting stopper 20, and the position of the paper in the lateral direction and the transport direction is determined. It is decided.

  When the sheet is abutted against the leading edge abutting stopper 20, the conveying force is applied by the conveying roller 15 with a torque limiter, thereby eliminating the damage at the leading edge of the sheet. When the paper is positioned, the cam 18 inside the punch unit 16 is rotated, the punch 19 is pushed down, and a hole is punched in the paper with the die 17. The punch unit 16 is a multi-hole punch for ring binding. The paper for which punch holes have been punched is released from the leading edge abutting stopper 20 and further conveyed downstream.

  Next, the sheet is conveyed to the alignment tray 22. The alignment tray 22 accepts a large number of sheets to be printed one by one and stacks them while aligning them. This alignment tray 22 is provided with a horizontally aligned jogger 23, a vertical roller 24 that presses the sheet in the sheet conveying direction, and the like, and the jogger 23 aligns the horizontal direction while aligning the sheet conveying direction with a fence (not shown).

  After the number of sheets to be printed on the alignment tray 22 are stacked and aligned, the vicinity of the binding side of the sheets is pressed and held by the clamp 25. A ring cartridge 27 is housed in the ring cartridge holder 26, and a large number of rings 28 are held therein. In the present embodiment, a plastic ring 28 of a type whose circumference is divided into three is shown.

  The ring binding portion 29 is rotated to the lower part of the ring cartridge 27 to take the ring 28. Thereafter, with the ring binding portion 29 holding one ring, the ring binding portion 29 is rotated below the clamp 25, the ring is passed through the hole opened at the lower end of the sheet bundle, and ring binding is performed by a binding mechanism (not shown). The booklet that has undergone the ring binding is received by the discharge claw 31 provided on the belt of the bundle conveyance unit 30 after the bundle conveyance unit 30 that rotates is moved below the clamp 25, and then the clamp 25 is released. It is transferred to the transport unit 30.

  Thereafter, the bundle conveyance unit 30 rotates counterclockwise and moves to a position that is substantially straight with the final bundle conveyance unit 32. Then, the booklet is delivered to the final bundle conveyance unit 32 by the discharge claw 31 provided on the belt of the bundle conveyance unit 30. From the final bundle conveying unit 32, the booklet is conveyed by the discharge claw 33 provided on the belt, and is discharged to the dedicated paper discharge tray 4. This is the end of the series of booklet movements.

  In the above-described binder 3, when a punch hole is formed in the sheet fed from the image forming apparatus 1 from the beginning, a sensor is provided in the middle of the horizontal conveyance path 10 in order to detect the punch hole of the sheet. This is done by a method of providing a punch hole. In the present embodiment, since the sheet is switched back by the reversing roller 11, the determination is performed by detecting the presence or absence of the punch hole at the portion where the sheet stops by the reflection type sensor.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the bookbinding system in the present embodiment. When the image forming apparatus of the bookbinding system shown in FIG. 3 receives data to be printed and bound (bound) from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) (not shown) via a communication means such as a network, the image forming unit 1a receives a sheet. The image forming process is performed. The sheet on which the image is formed is fed to the binder 3 through the sheet conveyance path 9, and the above-described process (in the present embodiment, the ring binding process) is performed in the bind processing unit 3a.

  Here, each control means for controlling each means of the image forming apparatus 1 and the binder 3 exchanges information via the communication path 8, and is used for the binding process attached to the binder 3 by the detection means 3b. Each piece of consumable information (type, size, color, etc., or a combination thereof) is acquired, and information (size, number of stacked sheets (thickness), etc.) of the fed paper is also detected.

  Since the information acquired by the detection means 3b is displayed in a selectable manner and the binding process is performed based on an instruction selected and input by the user, an operation means for displaying and inputting the information may be provided in the binder 3. The image forming apparatus 1 may also function as the operation panel 2b (see FIG. 1) of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a printer driver of a control program operating on the PC that has transmitted data for printing and bookbinding. As a part of the operation screen for instructing various settings, a function screen for displaying and inputting information related to the binding process may be provided.

  Next, processing for acquiring consumable information matched to a sheet for performing the binding processing of the present embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 4 with reference to FIG. First, it is confirmed whether or not the apparatus is initially turned on (S1). When the apparatus is turned on (Yes in S1), information on the consumables attached to the binder 3 is acquired by the detection means 3b (S2). . Consumables that can be attached to the binder 3 are detected by the detecting means 3b, and information such as the presence / absence of the consumables, the type of the consumables attached, and the amount thereof is acquired. The acquired information is transmitted from the control means of the binder 3 to the control means of the image forming apparatus 1 via the communication path 8, and for example, to a list of consumables created in advance and registered in the storage means (not shown). Is updated (S3). The storage means for storing the list may store a program for controlling the apparatus, various parameters, etc., and may be provided separately from the control means. Information on the list may be provided for the image forming apparatus 1 and the binder 3. Either may be stored.

  Furthermore, confirmation of opening / closing of the door portion of the binder 3 (S4), and when the door portion is opened / closed (Yes in S4), there is a possibility that processing (change, addition, etc.) related to the consumables of the binder 3 has been performed. Therefore, the information on the consumables is reacquired by the detection means 3b, and processing such as updating the list is performed (S5).

  In the above-described process S1, when the power is not turned on (No in S1), the above-described processes S2 and S3 are not performed and the process proceeds to the next process S4.

  Here, a plurality of consumables to be mounted on the binder 3 are mounted in a single cartridge, and information about each consumable is acquired. For example, the type of ring size and diameter (size) is identified. Generally known means described in Document 2 and Patent Document 6 are used. Further, the information obtained by the discrimination is notified from the binder 3 side to the image forming apparatus 1 when the power is turned on or when the door portion is opened and closed, thereby recognizing which type of consumable item is currently installed as a bookbinding system. Is possible.

  For selection, consumable information as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the screen of the operation panel 2 b of the image forming apparatus 1. This is acquired from the information of the list described above by the detecting means 3b. In addition, when a consumable item is selected from the displayed items, the display state is changed depending on the color, brightness, blinking, etc. of the display portion in order to make it easy to recognize the selection (FIG. 5B). (See (c)). In this way, by displaying information on the consumables attached to the binder 3 on the operation panel 2b, it is possible to confirm the consumables used for the bookbinding process and select them reliably. Further, as an example of selection of consumables, FIG. 5C shows that “A3 size, for 30 sheets, red consumables (ring binding)” is selected.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the ring cartridge holding unit 26, a plurality of types of rings 28 are formed depending on the size of the paper to which the ring 28 stored in the ring cartridge 27 is applied and the number of sheets to be bound. Will be stored. 6A shows an example of 50 A3 and A4 rings, and FIG. 6B shows an example of 100 A3 and A4 rings.

  As a method of detecting the presence and size of the ring 28 stored in the ring cartridge 27, La and Lb are determined by detecting one end of the ring 28 using a reflective sensor 26a as shown in FIG. Acquire information on the number of sheets and presence / absence. In addition, it is possible to detect the paper size such as L1 and L2 that can be bound by the ring 28 with the same configuration.

  The reflective sensor 26a may be provided in the ring cartridge holding part 26 or in the ring binding part 29. In this case, the ring binding part 29 rotates to the lower part of the ring cartridge 27, and the ring 28 is removed. Get information when going to.

  The detection means may obtain from the information (number of printed copies, number of printed sheets, paper size, etc.) attached to the data to be printed and bound from the PC as information on the paper to be bound to make a booklet, or the binder 3 is horizontally conveyed. The number of sheets that have passed through the path 10 and the size and thickness of the sheets after the alignment by the jogger 14 of the alignment tray 13 may be acquired by a detection sensor. Further, the acquired paper information may be displayed in the same manner as the above-mentioned consumables.

  In addition, it is known that detection of replacement of consumables or the like is performed by changing the shape of a cartridge case to which consumables are mounted and identifying the same as described in Patent Document 3. For example, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a tab 27a indicating the color of consumables (rings) in the cartridge, the number of sheets to be bound, the paper size, and the like is provided on the ring cartridge 27, and each position indicating each piece of information. This is acquired by a sensor provided in the ring cartridge holder 26.

  In the present invention, when the cartridge is operated by exchanging consumables or the cartridge itself is replaced, a signal (processing S4 in FIG. 4) based on opening / closing of the door portion of the binder 3 is shown in FIG. A screen for setting the “color” of the consumables (rings) in the appropriate cartridge is displayed, and the information on the consumables in the corresponding part of the list is updated by inputting to this screen. Accordingly, information that is difficult to identify, such as the “color” of the consumables, can be recognized as a system. Further, as described above, the input item in FIG. 9A can be easily recognized by changing the display state of the input item (see FIG. 9B).

  Note that the same action as described above can also be obtained when a tape is used instead of the ring as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b). The “color” setting screen for the consumables (tapes) in the cartridge shown in FIG. 10A is displayed and the information on the consumables is updated by inputting. Also, it goes without saying that the input screen of FIG. 10 (a) can be easily recognized by changing the display state of the input item (see FIG. 10 (b)). Further, the bookbinding system shown in FIG. 1 may be configured by connecting a binder 3 using a ring and a binder 3 using a tape.

  This makes it easier to increase the types of consumables built into the cartridge than in the case where the determination is made by identifying the shape of the cartridge, and the range for selecting the consumables desired by the user can be expanded.

  In addition, the color setting screen of the consumables is displayed, for example, when the work related to the consumables is performed in the binder 3 to prompt the user to input the binder 3 after the input. You may do it.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a consumable selection process for a sheet for performing the bind process of this embodiment. Selection of consumables according to the paper will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. 11 with reference to FIG.

  First, at the time of power-on or the like, the consumable information notification process shown in FIG. 4 is performed (S10). When printing and binding are performed, consumables are selected and input from a selection screen displayed on the operation panel 2b of the image forming apparatus 1 based on information from the binder 3 (S11). The selection screen performs the display as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, and similarly changes the display state of the selected portion to facilitate identification. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12, by limiting the items to be displayed, the display of other items may be switched in order with a scroll button or the like, and a plurality of display areas can be displayed by using this display. It is possible to select different types of consumables.

  In the binder 3 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, only one type is described as an example of consumables by the ring 28, the ring cartridge 27, the ring cartridge holding portion 26, etc. A plurality of ring cartridges 27 may be arranged so as to be movable in the portion 26 and may be selected, or a plurality of ring cartridge holding portions 26 may be mounted and selected. In such a case, by displaying the consumables selection screen as shown in FIG. 13, for example, it is possible to display all consumable types that can be mounted on the binder 3. By displaying as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to display in a limited area.

  When the consumables selection input is made from the selection screen, it is confirmed whether or not the type of consumables attached to the binder 3 (S12). If it is mounted on the binder 3 (Yes in S12), a printing process based on data transmitted from a PC or the like is started (S13). If it is not attached to the binder 3 (No in S12), an error is notified by the operation panel 2b and a warning is given to the user (S14).

  As a notification method of this warning, there is an LED, a lamp or the like on the operation panel 2b which is turned on or blinking, or an error message is displayed on the selection screen as shown in FIG. 14, or an alarm sound by a speaker which is provided on the operation panel 2b. . Moreover, you may make it perform the alerting | reporting method of these warnings 1 or more.

  Further, by performing a warning notification as shown in FIG. 14, in addition to confirming whether or not the consumable item desired by the user is attached to the binder 3 in the display of all consumable items that can be attached in FIG. 13, It is also possible to check whether or not the corresponding consumable can be mounted.

  When the image forming process in step S13 is started, it is checked whether the information on the selected consumable paper and the information on the paper conveyed from the image forming apparatus 1 match (S15). In the case (No in S15), a warning is notified to the operation panel 2b (S16), the image forming process is stopped (S17), a replacement process for different consumables is performed (S18), and the process returns to the first process S10. Then, consumable information notification processing is performed. Further, in addition to the coincidence of paper information, it is possible to check the remaining number of consumables.

  If they match in the process S15 (Yes in S15), the completion of the image forming process related to the bookbinding process is confirmed (S19). If not completed (No in S19), the process returns to the process S13 to continue the bookbinding process. When the process ends (Yes in S19), the process ends.

  Further, information on consumables to be notified from the binder 3 to the image forming apparatus 1 is input to the PC that transmits bookbinding data to the image forming apparatus, such as print control and settings of the image forming apparatus 1 operating on the PC. It may be added to a printer driver for performing printing, and a consumable selection screen related to bookbinding processing may be displayed for selection.

  According to this embodiment, the operation panel 2b of the image forming apparatus 1 or the printer driver operating on the PC displays the easy-to-understand selection screen as described above, and clearly notifies the user of the type of consumables. Thus, the user operability can be improved.

  The bookbinding system according to the present invention displays information on consumables possessed by the apparatus in a selectable manner on the operation panel when performing an instruction relating to bookbinding in an apparatus that performs bookbinding processing, and from among a plurality of types of consumables It is possible to easily select a consumable item desired by the user, or to improve the operability when selecting, and is useful for setting input of a bookbinding system that performs bookbinding processing.

1 is a schematic view showing a bookbinding system in which a post-processing machine is connected to an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Structure diagram showing mechanism of binder for ring binding in the present embodiment The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the bookbinding system in this embodiment Flowchart of processing for acquiring consumable information matched to the sheet for which the binding processing of this embodiment is performed The figure which shows the display change (a)-(c) which selected from the operation panel screen of this embodiment. The figure which shows the ring types (a) and (b) stored in the ring cartridge of this embodiment The figure which shows the means to detect the ring of this embodiment The ring information stored in the ring cartridge of the present embodiment is shown. The figure which shows the screen (a) and (b) which set "color" of consumables (ring) from the operation panel screen of this embodiment The figure which shows the screen (a) and (b) which set "color" of consumables (tape) from the operation panel screen of this embodiment Flow chart of selection processing of consumables according to the sheet for which the binding processing of this embodiment is performed The figure which shows the example of a display of the selection screen of this embodiment The figure which shows the example of a display of the selection screen which displayed all the consumables which can be mounted | worn of this embodiment The figure which shows the example of a display of the warning alerting | reporting screen of this embodiment

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Image forming part 2a ADF
2b Operation panel 3 Binder 3a Bind processing unit 3b Detection means 4 Dedicated paper discharge tray 5 Post-processing machine 6 Paper discharge tray 8 Communication path 9 Paper transport path 10 Horizontal transport path 11 Reverse roller 12 Switching claw 13, 22 Alignment trays 14, 23 Jogger 16 Punch unit 26 Ring cartridge holding portion 26a Reflective sensor 27 Ring cartridge 27a Tab 28 Ring 29 Ring binding portion

Claims (6)

In a bookbinding system in which a bookbinding device that performs binding processing using staples, rings, or tapes on a plurality of sheets of images formed by an image forming device is connected to the image forming device.
Detection means for acquiring information on paper fed from the image forming apparatus and information on consumables used in the binding process, and operation means for selectively displaying and inputting information on the consumables to be used The consumables can be selected in accordance with the sheet to be bound by input from the operation means, and the information on the paper used for selection in the operation means is the size or number of sheets to be bound. If the information on the consumable paper selected by the operation means is different from the information on the paper fed from the image forming apparatus, the processing of the fed paper is stopped. Warning information is displayed, information on the consumables mounted on the bookbinding apparatus is displayed as consumable information selected by the operation means, and the consumables are displayed on the operation means. Bookbinding system displays a selectable portion from all consumables, the remaining portion is characterized by sequentially displayed by replacing the display of the portion in the display. 2. The bookbinding system according to claim 1, wherein the consumable information used for selection in the operation means is a color of the consumable corresponding to each type . Bookbinding system according to claim 1 or 2, as the information of the consumable, wherein you to view all mountable consumables bookbinding apparatus more selective to the operating means. And consumables information selected by said operating means, if said consumable information attached to the bookbinding apparatus are different, any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a warning notification bookbinding system as claimed in. Definitive warning notification to the operating means, notification by lighting or flashing by the light emitting unit, according to claim 1, wherein the performing the notification by the warning message displayed by the display unit, or an alarm, by any one or more audio notification The bookbinding system according to any one of the above. The information to be displayed on the operating unit, running on an external device that transmits data binding process, according to claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the screen of the control program for the processing and set according to the image forming apparatus The bookbinding system according to any one of the above.

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